W.H. doesn't rule out Wintour pick

By DONOVAN SLACK

12/05/2012 02:25 PM EST

Reuters

White House press secretary Jay Carney on Wednesday would not specifically address reports that President Obama is considering Vogue editor Anna Wintour for an ambassaorship to the UK or France, but he left the door open to such an unorthodox pick.

Let's go to the briefing transcript:

Q: What qualities does the president look for when he’s going to pick an ambassador, especially to an important ally like France or the UK?

Carney: You know, I anticipated your question you’re asking, and I can tell you in advance, I will answer the question, but that I have no personnel announcements. I’m not going to engage in speculation about possible personnel announcements. You know, I think that the president in all of his personnel appointments looks for talent, and wisdom and character in his appointees, and he would do that, regardless of the position.

Q: Is it important for a diplomat to be diplomatic?

Carney: One of the, and I mean another way of addressing that is to answer the question, there have been enormously effective diplomats in this country’s history who have not necessarily risen through the diplomatic corps. Now we’ve had enormously talented…

Q: even in a personal (inaud.), or pop culture?

Carney: I understand that’s a rhetorical question and diplomacy is effectively performed by diplomats. But we had one of the greatest diplomats of his generation pass away not long ago: Richard Holbrooke. I think everyone who knew him or sat across the table from hi would agree that he was not by anyone’s traditional definition particularly diplomatic.

Q But he was also a brilliant negotiator...

Carney: So they come in all types and sizes and approaches

Q: Has the president seen “The Devil Wears Prada?”

Q: You don’t deny that Anna Wintour can become ambassador…?

Carney: I will not engage in any speculation about personnel announcements. I just won’t